IP TAKE: This funder is open to funding early career scientists as well as research that fills gaps in the field. But it isn’t especially clear how grantseekers can get their hands on a foundation grant. Best bet is for grantseekers to contact staff members and make an introduction.

PROFILE: The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF) describes itself as the “world’s leading nonprofit funder of childhood brain tumor research.” The overall goal of PBTF's grantmaking is research that leads to a better understanding of the biology of pediatric brain tumors. The foundation’s main fields of funding interest include diagnosis, etiology, prognosis, therapeutic options, therapy selection, monitoring for early detection and counteracting the effects of treatment.

PBTFs funding strategy includes backing research related to biology, biomarkers, new treatments, clinical research, discovery and translational sciences, and engaging the scientific community to foster diversity in childhood brain tumor studies. PBTF has three grant programs to support its funding strategy.

The foundation’s Institute Grants program awards grants to established experts in pediatric brain tumor research working at well-known institutions across the country. Funding out of this program is fairly significant, with grant amounts ranging anywhere from $100,000 up to $1 million. From the looks of its recent Institute grantees, most grants periods range from one to three years.

PBTFs Early Career Development grants support scientists in the first five years of their first faculty positions. Early Career Development grants generally fall around $300,000 and are awarded over three years. To learn more about the current grantees of this program, take a look through its recent grants page.

The foundation’s Opportunity grant program is designed to fill gaps in knowledge the foundation deems “critical” to pediatric brain tumor research. Most grants are awarded over two years and range from $100,000 to $500,000. Read more about the type of work PBTF is supporting through this program here.

PBTF also funds research projects that may not fit quite so neatly into its main grantmaking programs. This support typically goes to major research institutions.

PBTF provides clarity in just about every facet of its grantmaking, with the exception on clear directions as to how grantseekers can get their hands on a grant. The foundation has a Research Advisory Network, which, among other activities, helps PBTF shape funding priorities and evaluates “the impact of its research investment.” The site does invite researchers to contactDr. Joanne Salcido, Vice President of Research and Family Support, with questions about grant opportunities.